I buy corkboards whenever I see them at thrift stores or yard sales if they are two dollars or less. They've been piling up in my garage, so I thought it was about time that I actually do something with them! There's been a lot of blog buzz about inspiration boards lately, so I decided to give you a quick and easy tutorial on creating a fabric-covered cork board.
I started off with a plain bulletin board:
1. I painted the frame with an antique white water-based enamel craft paint. This frame needed three coats.
2. Cut the fabric to fit the board. I used a fat quarter from my stash of Heather Bailey's Freshcut fabrics. If you do ANY sewing or crafting with fabrics, you MUST invest in a rotary cutter, cutting mat and clear ruler. I've been sewing for many years, and I only got these tools a year ago. Now I realize how much time I wasted cutting fabric with scissors (not to mention all of the fabric that I've thrown away because I suck at cutting with scissors).
3. Tape off the frame and use spray adhesive to attach the fabric to the board. I used Craft Bond. Spray the adhesive onto the cork, and then lay the fabric on the board. Use a piece of cardboard to smooth out any bubbles in the fabric. To make sure the fabric won't come off along the edges, staple the fabric to the board along the frame (just a few staples in the corners and in the middle of each side).
4. Attach trim or ribbon to cover the edges of the fabric and staples. I used Fabric-Tac to glue vintage rick-rack trim along the edges. I cut a separate piece of trim for each side. I originally attempted to use one long piece of trim, but the corners didn't look right.
Here's the finished product!
After finishing my project, I was overtaken by some sort of crafty demon, and was physically unable to put down the glue. So, I attached vintage buttons to thumbtacks to make these cute little push pins:
And then I made another board. For this one, I used striped grosgrain ribbon around the edges.
Both of these are for sale at the Vintage Home Annex. Try it yourself, and let me know how it goes!
UPDATED on August 13, 2008:
Need more inspiration? I made another fabric-covered corkboard.
Absolutely love them. I have two boards and the ribbon idea around the edge is spot-on. I love the thumb tack button idea too. What a lovely way to be able to look at your favourite old buttons! I am useless at cutting too so I should invest!
Posted by: gayle | January 17, 2008 at 06:53 PM
I love how these turned out! Very clever!
Posted by: pam | January 17, 2008 at 07:44 PM
fun & beautiful ... I'll give it a go!
Posted by: Melody | January 17, 2008 at 07:57 PM
the ribbon is a great idea...going to have to start looking for a board at my thrift store. thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: julie (jane's apron) | January 17, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Hi Colleen,
this is just the inspiration I needed to get going on my board. I have everything I need, just need to do it. Thanks for the kick start.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Johnson | January 17, 2008 at 10:56 PM
So lovely! I've been wanting to make one myself. Thank you sharing how you did it :-)
Posted by: M&Co | January 18, 2008 at 03:41 AM
very pretty and vintage!!! thanks for the inspiration!!!
Posted by: sharron | January 18, 2008 at 07:21 AM
What a great idea! And the board turned out so wonderful!
Posted by: ismoyo | January 18, 2008 at 09:18 AM
This is brilliant! Loved the setp-by-step, thanks!
Posted by: Joy | January 18, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I LOVE these!! I'm going to fox up my bulletin boards! :)
Posted by: Tammy | January 18, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Wow, those are great! I'm now looking at my boring cork board above my desk with disgust. ;)
Posted by: Mitzi | January 18, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I love them both. Great idea!!
Thanks for sharing,
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | January 18, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Just found your blog--love it!!! I wish I lived where you do, both so I could buy from you AND so I could hit some of your garage sales! I rarely have such scoreage here in Southern California!
Posted by: Sherri | January 18, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Dang it! You are such an enabler. Just when I'm trying to stop doing so many craft projects, you show me another one that I've GOT to do :)
Posted by: Kim | January 18, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Wow! They are fabulous - I'm definitely going to give that a go.
Posted by: Kirsty | January 19, 2008 at 05:54 AM
So cute....I have that same fabric! Love it!
Posted by: Karin (creativechaos) | January 19, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I think I will try it this week. My cork board looks horrible! My cat seems to think it's a scratching post.
Posted by: jenn ski | January 19, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Thanks for the inspiration! A perfect winter project.
Posted by: B | January 20, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Very cute! Thank you for teaching us how to make these! I really need one!
xo
Becky
Posted by: Sweet Cottage Dreams | January 21, 2008 at 11:50 AM
What a great idea! I am going to make one as soon as we get settled in our new home!
Posted by: Melanie | January 22, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Fabulous button idea!
Posted by: maria | January 24, 2008 at 09:26 PM
What kind of glue did you use with the button/thumbtack idea? Very clever!
Posted by: Kate | January 31, 2008 at 02:50 PM
hi there, everything i've seen so far is amazing. you have such a great talent and you use it well!! good luck
Posted by: Soulla Andreou | March 28, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Thank you thank you!
Posted by: Jenny | June 23, 2008 at 12:44 AM
I've doen these. I never had spray glue around so I cut it a bit bigger than the cork and tucked it in the edges...that really goes amazingly fast. Love the thumbtacks
Posted by: Susan | August 14, 2008 at 03:25 PM